Doug Parsons talks history and the ecology of the Coskata-Coatue Haulover Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket Island with The Trustees of Reservations , the nation’s first and Massachusetts’ largest preservation and conservation nonprofit, and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation . This is the first of a two part series focusing on climate adaptation in the Refuge. Doug talks with experts, historians, donors and residents of Nantucket Island, hearing what makes this place so ecologically unique and im...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 142
Doug talks extreme heat with Dr. Ladd Keith , Assistant Professor in Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments at the University of Arizona. Ladd and Doug discuss the media coverage of the recent pacific northwest heat wave; is naming heat waves a bad idea; will extreme heat be included in managed retreat discussions; Miami’s new Chief Heat officer; the challenge of tying mortalities to heat events; thermal equity; air conditioning shaming and much more. Topics covered: Media coverage...
Jul 06, 2021•50 min•Ep. 141
Doug Parsons hosts Alex Harris, a climate reporter with the Miami Herald . Alex, the only reporter dedicated to climate change in the entire southeast, shares what it’s like covering climate change in the Miami region. We discuss the importance of local media for adaptation; using the latest science as a reporter; the mega projects Miami is considering to halt flooding and sea level rise; how a nearly decade old Rolling Stone article on climate change still haunts local officials; what happened ...
Jun 07, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 140
In episode 139 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts two leading adaptation thinkers, Dr. Susanne Moser and Dr. Linda Shi and we discuss a new article they published Transformative Climate Adaptation in the United States: Trends and Prospects . Learn what it is and how it can influence climate equity and justice issues. We also discuss if democratic governments are the best model for transformative adaptation and is the Biden administration prioritizing resilience planning. Also, in a bonus con...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 139
In episode 138 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons is highlighting two new adaptation books, Moving to Higher Ground , Rising Sea Level and the Path Forward by legendary sea level rise expert John Englander and a Blueprint for Coastal Adaptation , edited by Dr. Carolyn Kousky at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. We’ll take a sneak peak in these books that are focusing on coastal adaptation and sea level rise. Learn what inspired the authors to write each book and how each brings...
May 11, 2021•40 min•Ep. 138
In episode 137 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Victoria Herrmann , the Managing Director of the Arctic Institute and a National Geographic Explorer. We learn what is a Nat Geo Explorer ; her travels with the America Eroding Edges project; the origins of Rising Tides, an organization that pairs climate experts with at risk communities and we discuss the evolving nature of adaptation professionals. Also, a bonus conversation with Judge Alice Hill where we discuss her time developing ada...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 137
In episode 136 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Jeanine Dudle and Dr. Sarah Strauss of Worcester Polytechnic Institute about launching a pioneering graduate program in community climate adaptation . The three discuss the challenges of starting a new program; how they developed the curricula; what type of students would excel in their program and the growing demand for professionals with a strong adaptation background. Topics covered : The state of climate adaptation programs in higher ...
Apr 12, 2021•50 min•Ep. 136
In episode 135, California Adapts part 3, Doug Parsons and writer/producer Randy Olson talk about their overall impressions of climate adaptation in California. Each of the experts interviewed during the journey gave scores from 1 to 10 for their opinion of how well they think the state is addressing their element of climate adaptation. The scores are presented to three of the experts for their assessment. The analysis ends with one more expert - a dissenting voice in terms of how well Californi...
Apr 06, 2021•42 min•Ep. 135
In episode 134, a re-release, Doug Parsons’ journeys around California exploring the five most important elements of climate adaptation for the state — fire, drought, flood, temperature and sea level rise. For each one he goes into the field with an expert. He visits the burn area of the Thomas Fire of December 2017 with a fire captain, talks about drought with the state’s “Water Czar,” standing beside the Sacramento River, hears the details of the ARkStorm Mega-flood Scenario from a climate sci...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 134
In episode 133 of America Adapts , What is “climate adaptation” and how well is California doing with it? In this three part special, sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability , Doug takes an in-depth look at the state of California, presenting it’s long history of environmental leadership, current work on adaptation throughout the state, and how California will be dealing with a changing environment in the future. In this episode, California Adapts Episode 1, consist...
Mar 29, 2021•48 min•Ep. 133
In episode 132 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Andrew Rumbach , Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University and faculty fellow at the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center. The two discuss the similarities (and differences) between the two fields. Andrew shares research, looking at historic resources vulnerabilities to climate change and we learn the unique role mobile homes play in determining a community’s overall resistance to climate and...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 132
In episode 131 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Sherri Goodman , a Senior Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center and the Senior Strategist at the Center for Climate and Security. We cover such topics as climate change being the ultimate national security threat multiplier. Also, we discuss some of the early climate work she did in Congress and in the executive branch; the ‘climatization of security’; emerging threats in the arctic region and how shifting political winds cam impa...
Mar 01, 2021•47 min•Ep. 131
In episode 130 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University. Jesse dissects some of the early moves on climate change policy in the Biden administration. He shares his thoughts on staffing decisions and how adaptation is and isn’t being prioritized through the Executive Orders. Also, in a new recurring segment, Judge Alice Hill shares insights on what FEMA can do to prioritize climate change. Topics covered : What happened at the recent Climate Adaptation Summit 2...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 130
In episode 129 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Cheryl Slean of the Natural Resources Defense Council and TV writer Alexander Maggio . Cheryl discusses the Rewrite the Future Initiative she co-founded at NRDC on ways the science community can engage with the entertainment industry. We learn about the power of storytelling and how Hollywood can be a major ally in creating awareness around climate change. Also joining the podcast is Alex, who is a TV writer for shows like Madame Secretary on...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 129
In episode 128 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Carolyn Kousky , the Executive Director at the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Carolyn has developed 8 recommendations for the incoming Biden administration to prioritize climate adaptation. We go through each of the recommendations, which cover topics ranging from disaster preparedness, strengthening our infrastructure to utilizing nature based approaches to adaptation. The recomme...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 128
In episode 127 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons is joined by Dr. Ladd Keith , an Assistant Professor in Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments at The University of Arizona and Dakota Larrick , a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, who is finishing her master’s thesis on human adaptations to the landscape in the Southern Great Plains. Doug and his guests list their top climate stories of the year; the impact of covid-19 on their work; the diversity of adaptation pro...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 127
In episode 126 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Commander Andrea Cameron of the U.S. Naval War College. In this episode, we discuss how the US military is approaching climate change; teaching this topic to military officers; learn what military branch is ahead on climate planning; how other countries like China and Russia are aggressively ramping up their adaptation efforts; the process of prioritizing a national threat and what we might expect to see in a Biden Administration. This episod...
Dec 15, 2020•57 min•Ep. 126
In episode 125 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Amy Westervelt, host of the Drilled podcast and founder of the Critical Frequency podcast network. Doug and Amy discuss media coverage of climate change and how climate podcasts are becoming more popular. We go behind the scenes of her podcast Drilled and learn how fossil fuel companies created the modern public relations industry. We also discuss her essay contribution in the new book, “ All We Can Save ” and the controversies of having chil...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 125
In episode 124 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks barrier beaches and adaptation with The Trustees of Reservations , a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts! This is the third episode in a 3-episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents about Norton Point Beach on Martha’s Vineyard. You’ll hear the unique challenges facing this region and how the local population is taking action in the face of climate change. Topics covered : ...
Nov 15, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 124
In episode 123 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts returning guest - climate fiction expert - Dr. Amy Brady! This is Amy’s third time on the podcast and we catch up on topics like: climate writers reaching out to scientists; can cli-fi influence people’s behavior to take action on climate change; is a climate pulp fiction emerging; how the tv and movie industry are taking note of climate fiction; the prevalence of climate justice in cli-fi; and the challenges of storytelling when climate chan...
Oct 27, 2020•45 min•Ep. 123
In episode 122 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Laura Schifter to discuss K12-Climate Action, an initiative to seeks to “unlock the power of the education sector to be a force for climate action.” Laura is a Senior Fellow in the Energy and Environment program at the Aspen Institute and she’s a lecturer of Education at Harvard University’s Graduate school of Education. Doug and Laura discuss the current state of climate education and how this initiative will engage with education stakeholde...
Oct 12, 2020•57 min•Ep. 122
In episode 121 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Renee Lertzman . Dr. Lertzman is an environmental psychologist and founder of Project InsideOut , a forthcoming resource hub and emerging community of practice that unites activists with clinical psychologists. Doug and Renee discuss what is climate grief and anxiety; steps individuals and organizations can do to address these issues and turn to action; the value of emotional intelligence and how adaptation and mitigation have more in com...
Sep 29, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 121
In episode 120 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks adaptation and publicly accessible shorelines with The Trustees of Reservations , the nation’s first and the Massachusetts’ largest preservation and conservation nonprofit! This is the second episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents about Crane Beach on the Crane Estate near in Ipswich, Massachusetts. We discuss the challenges they are currently facing and what it ...
Sep 15, 2020•57 min•Ep. 120
In episode 119 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold . Doug and Senator Feingold discuss his work on the Campaign for Nature ; why protecting biodiversity is as important, or more so, than climate change; the science partners involved; what international efforts are needed for biodiversity protection; the role of his new org, the American Constitution Society and we also dabble a bit in domestic politics! Topics covered : What is the Campaign for Nature . Prote...
Aug 25, 2020•40 min•Ep. 119
In episode 118 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Maxine Burkett , a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In this episode, Doug and Maxine discuss: the moral and intellectual case for climate reparations; climate migration; differences in climate justice in the global north and the global south; will adaptation take a peaceful or conflict oriented approach in the years ahead; and adaptation studies at the University of Hawaii. Topics covered : Background on The Institute fo...
Aug 10, 2020•55 min•Ep. 118
In episode 117 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks coastal banks with The Trustees of Reservations , a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts! This is the first episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents of Wasque Beach on Martha’s Vineyard and discuss the challenges they are currently facing and what it means to adapt to climate change on the island. We cover such topics as coastal erosion, shoreline change and...
Jul 28, 2020•55 min•Ep. 117
In episode 116 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts frequent pod guest Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University. Jesse discusses his new research paper on how sea level rise will impact the viability of the 30 year home mortgage, the foundation of much of the home ownership in the United States. We also discuss how local banks are being more aggressive in avoiding risky coastal loans; Jesse’s new faculty position at Tulane University; what is ‘underwaterwriting’ and much more! Topics covered : Wi...
Jul 13, 2020•34 min•Ep. 116
In episode 115 of America Adapts, a re-release of episode 80, “Adapting Conservation to Climate Change at WWF”, Doug Parson joins World Wildlife Fund’s Shaun Martin to revisit this episode and to see the progress that has been made from when it was originally released on Dec. 17th, 2018. In the original episode we take a behind the scenes look at how WWF is adapting conservation to the new realities of climate change and helping governments prepare for the future in ways that ensure a place for ...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 115
In episode 114 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts climate activist, billionaire investor and former Democratic Presidential candidate Tom Steyer ! Tom and I talk about what’s happening with the coronavirus and reopening; his run for President in the Democratic primary; what a Biden Presidency will mean for climate action and listen in to find out the greatest thing you can do to move the needle forward on climate change! Topics covered : What’s happening with Covid-19 and economic planning? ...
Jun 15, 2020•47 min•Ep. 114
In episode 113 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Moira McDonald of The Walton Family Foundation . Moira shares the focus of the foundation, with an emphasis on Louisiana coastal planning, wetland restoration and the role of the Mississippi River in adaptation. We also discuss strategic planning at a foundation; integrating adaptation into conservation planning and the challenges of risk taking for a foundation. Moira also discusses the role of the foundation in local community planning ...
Jun 01, 2020•51 min•Ep. 113
